Restorative Justice Conference

March 19, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Albany, NY - The Sage Colleges are proud to host an informative workshop; Restorative Justice: Responding Constructively to Harmful Behavior: Prevention and Intervention at Home, in Schools, in the Community and in the World will be held at the Opalka Gallery on the Sage College of Albany Campus on March 26.

Restorative Justice is a social movement to institutionalize peaceful approaches to preventing, repairing and healing from interpersonal harm. Offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their damaging actions and attempt to make amends with their victims. Often in criminal cases, the focus is on the offender, their rights and punishment. The victim affected by the crime does not receive the same amount of attention. Restorative Justice recognizes the needs of the victim, the relationships harmed by the action and the community.

This teaching day is an opportunity to explore approaches in the spectrum of restorative justice, learn from leading practitioners and connect with groups working to transform our communities and our lives. Join us for a teaching day for students, mental health counselors, school counselors, social workers, clergy, school resource officers, youth court directors, and anyone interested in social justice.

"Restorative justice is not limited to cases when crimes are committed, but can be used in any case where there is behavior that causes harm," said Carol DiMambro, associate professor of criminal justice at The Sage Colleges. "Restorative justice practices can be used to address harm and help heal relationships."

Panelists include David Kaczynski, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and brother of Ted Kaczynski, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Derek Miodownik of the Vermont Department of Corrections. There will also be a victim impact panel, comprised of men and women who have survived violence.

11:30 am- 12:15 pm - Responses to Community Violence
John Cutro, consultant to Albany City School District on Restorative Community Practice Development Lisa Good, Program Director, Homer Perkins Center